COVID-19 impacts on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities
Public services across Greater Essex, (Essex, Southend and Thurrock) have set up a task group to respond to the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
Its first output is coronavirus safety guidance for people from BAME backgrounds
National research and statistics show that:
- Men are much more likely to catch COVID-19 than women in all groups
- Black men are twice as likely to die of COVID-19 related causes than white men
- Bangladeshi and Pakistani men are 1.5 times more likely to die of COVID-19 related causes than white men
- Indian men are 1.6 times more likely to die of COVID-19 related causes than white men
- Black women are 1.4 times more likely to die of COVID-19 related causes than white women.
The task group of councils, health and emergency services, set up by Essex Resilience Forum, is working with BAME employee networks and faith and community organisations to identify and address local concerns and action that can be taken to reduce disparities in risks and outcomes.
We will share national guidance and recommendations, develop local guidance as needed, commission research and develop targeted interventions.
Useful links
- Essex Resilience Forum statement: Essex organisations respond to COVID-19 impacts on BAME communities
- Coronavirus safety: five-point guidance for people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
- Coronavirus safety tips for taxi and private hire vehicle drivers and passengers: taxi and private hire drivers are identified as at higher risk because of their work. Many in Essex are from BAME backgrounds.
- Southend-on-Sea Borough Council's coronavirus section for the latest news about local services and support
- gov.uk for Government, NHS and Public Health England coronavirus guidance and research.
